NAIROBI, May 8- Sirkal (Government) is back! The last time Gor Mahia played in Kisumu on November 21 last year, bedlam ruled as the club sealed their record 14th Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title with a 3- 0 rout of Ushuru FC.
Ecstatic soldiers of the Green Army of all rank and file turned every corner of their spiritual lakeside city green in manic celebrations that started with a pitch invasion at Moi Stadium, then a chaotic trophy presentation before the party spilled out to the town.
Nothing has changed since then, Gor are still top of the KPL summit nine games into the 2015 season and unbeaten; with Western Stima who relocated to Kisumu the tenth side seeking the honours in the mini-competition to become the first side to deny the champions points this term.
But nothing ever happens quietly in Gor with club fans who have already deep in travel or arrangements to make massive exodus to Kisumu embroiled in furious online debate over appropriations of their gate collections from last weekend.
The champions frogmarched Ulinzi Stars out of their City Stadium cauldron with a 2-0 defeat with figures released by club treasurer Ken Otieno stirring the hornets’ nest at the financially struggling club.
According to the figures, Sh943, 700 (USD 9,889.88) was collected with stadium security chalking up a huge chunk of the collections in what fans felt should have gone to the players who were reported to have gone on a go slow before Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Sony Sugar.
The club’s internal security were paid Sh50,000 (USD524), Sh20,000 (USD 209) was paid to Kenya Police officers manning the match with a fellow listed as ‘Obonyo Security’ taking home Sh4,000 (USD41.92) against player’s allowances pegged at Sh20,000 (USD209).
“The biggest problem with Gor Mahia is Spending at Source…it’s not about the justification of expenses as it would wholly appear. Expenditures like the 30K payment to Jerry, Obonyo Security etc could be valid.
“Way forward let’s plead with our brothers in the office to accept all payments to be made after banking that will help eliminate 50% of White Elephant Projects,” fan Daniel Nganyi lamented on their official Facebook wall as comments expressing outrage against the way the club’s meagre finances are being handled populated the forum.
– Obonyo Security-
However, the brouhaha over ‘Obonyo Security’ and the treasurer’s report will not deter thousands of Gor fans in the ‘diaspora’ joining those in Kisumu and surrounding lakeside towns in turning Moi Stadium into an intimidating sea of green as their mission not only to defend, but defend unbeaten, continues gathering steam.
K’Ogalo lost in form forward Michael Olunga and defender Harun Shakava to the Stars Under-23 side attempting to overturn a 3-0 deficit to Botswana on Saturday but having netted 21 goals, 18 of them from the razor sharp trio of Ali Abondo, Meddie Kagere and missing Olunga, the champions have enough ammunition to switch off Stima.
However, Henry Omino’s side have established a reputation of being difficult to breakdown and are currently sitting fourth after briefly being at the top earlier in the season thanks to impressive wins against Sofapaka and Sony.
Striker Fredrick Shimonyo, who has scored four of Stima’s 11 goals, will be expected to lead the front line.
– Ingwe in Mombasa-
Archrivals AFC Leopards who plundered five past hapless Sony and their keeper Lucas Indeche who was promptly axed for K’Ogalo’s visit head down to the coastal city to play Bandari on Tuesday having received Sh500,000 (USD5,239.95) from a benefactor to facilitate the travel.
Ingwe have a decent record against the port-siders who are struggling for form having controversially lost in Kisumu last weekend in the clash that will pit sixth against 10th on the KPL log.
Ulinzi and Sony are seeking to bounce back from defeats when they take on Chemelil and KCB on Tuesday and Sunday whilst Muhoroni host improving City Stars in Muhoroni in the only Saturday fixture.
Ushuru entertain bottom side Nakuru All Stars at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium hoping to levy them all the three points on Sunday.
